Multiple dwelling unit satellite television delivery system

ABSTRACT

Systems for delivering satellite signals to multiple dwelling units (MDUs). A system in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna for receiving the satellite signals, a conversion unit, coupled to the antenna, for stacking the satellite signals onto a single cable, a distribution unit, coupled to the conversion unit, wherein the distribution unit distributes the stacked satellite signal to a plurality of outputs, and at least one customer device, coupled to an output of the plurality of outputs, wherein each unit in the MDU uses the customer device to destack the stacked satellite signals for delivery to a receiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending and commonly assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/523,218, filed on Sep. 18, 2006, byDipak M. Shah and John L. Norin, entitled “MULTIPLE DWELLING UNITSATELLITE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEM,” which application is incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a satellite receiver systemand in particular, to a system architecture for control and data signaldistribution on coaxial cable.

2. Description of the Related Art

Satellite broadcasting of communications signals has become commonplace.Satellite distribution of commercial signals for use in televisionprogramming currently utilizes multiple feedhorns on a single OutdoorUnit (ODU) which supply signals to up to eight IRDs on separate cablesfrom a multiswitch.

FIG. 1A illustrates a typical satellite television installation of therelated art.

System 100 uses signals sent from Satellite A (SatA) 102, Satellite B(SatB) 104, and Satellite C (SatC) 106 that are directly broadcast to anOutdoor Unit (ODU) 108 that is typically attached to the outside of ahouse 110. ODU 108 receives these signals and sends the received signalsto IRD 112, which decodes the signals and separates the signals intoviewer channels, which are then passed to television 114 for viewing bya user. There can be more than one satellite transmitting from eachorbital location.

Satellite uplink signals 116 are transmitted by one or more uplinkfacilities 118 to the satellites 102-104 that are typically ingeosynchronous orbit. Satellites 102-106 amplify and rebroadcast theuplink signals 116, through transponders located on the satellite, asdownlink signals 120. Depending on the satellite 102-106 antennapattern, the downlink signals 120 are directed towards geographic areasfor reception by the ODU 108.

Each satellite 102-106 broadcasts downlink signals 120 in typicallythirty-two (32) different frequencies, which are licensed to varioususers for broadcasting of programming, which can be audio, video, ordata signals, or any combination. These signals are typically located inthe Ku-band of frequencies, i.e., 11-18 GHz.

Future satellites will likely broadcast in the Ka-band of frequencies,i.e., 18-40 GHz, but typically 20-30 GHz. For example, satellite 122 isat 99 degrees, satellite 124 is at 103 degrees, satellite 126 is at 95degrees, and satellite 128 is at 72.5 degrees. Satellites 122 and 124are typically Ka-band satellites; however, other orbital slots can beused at Ka-band without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. Satellite 128 at 72.5 degrees is typically used for localprogramming, via spot beams that serve different geographic areasthrough frequency reuse and/or geographic diversity to allow the antennabeams to service different geographical areas.

FIG. 1B illustrates a multiple dwelling unit in a typical urban setting.

Multiple dwelling unit (MDU) 130 is adjacent to MDU 132 and diagonallyopposed to MDU 134. A given dwelling unit 136 in MDU 130 is shown forillustrative purposes. If satellite signals 120 are arriving fromdirection 138, then dwelling unit 130 can mount an ODU 108 facingdirection 138 and potentially receive satellite signals 120. However,the majority of the dwelling units in MDU 132 and 134 will not haveclear access to direction 138, and, as such, will not have access tosatellite signals 120. Further, if satellite signals 120 are incidentfrom direction 140, then dwelling unit 136 will not have access tosatellite signals 120. This problem also affects off-air televisionsignals; an antenna for dwelling unit 136 will be shadowed by not onlyMDU's 132 and 134, but by MDU 130 depending on where the off-air signaltransmitter is located with respect to MDU 130 and dwelling unit 132. Inessence, even if dwelling unit 136 has a complete view of the southernsky, other dwelling units in MDU 130 will not, which will eliminate orseriously degrade the reception and use of satellite signals 120 inthose units.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical ODU of the related art.

ODU 108 typically uses reflector dish 222 and feedhorn assembly 224 toreceive and direct downlink signals 120 onto feedhorn assembly 224.Reflector dish 222 and feedhorn assembly 224 are typically mounted onbracket 226 and attached to a structure for stable mounting. Feedhornassembly 224 typically comprises one or more Low Noise Block converters228, which are connected via wires or coaxial cables to a multiswitch,which can be located within feedhorn assembly 124, elsewhere on the ODU108, or within house 110. LNBs typically downconvert the FSS-band,Ku-band, and Ka-band downlink signals 120 into frequencies that areeasily transmitted by wire or cable, which are typically in the L-bandof frequencies, which typically ranges from 950 MHz to 2150 MHz. Thisdownconversion makes it possible to distribute the signals within a homeusing standard coaxial cables.

The multiswitch enables system 100 to selectively switch the signalsfrom SatA 102, SatB 104, and SatC 106, and deliver these signals viacables 224 to each of the IRDs 112A-D located within house 110.Typically, the multiswitch is a five-input, four-output (5×4)multiswitch, where two inputs to the multiswitch are from SatA 102, oneinput to the multiswitch is from SatB 104, and one input to themultiswitch is a combined input from SatB 104 and SatC 106. There can beother inputs for other purposes, e.g., off-air or other antenna inputs,without departing from the scope of the present invention. Themultiswitch can be other sizes, such as a 6×8 multiswitch, if desired.SatB 104 typically delivers local programming to specified geographicareas, but can also deliver other programming as desired.

To maximize the available bandwidth in the Ku-band of downlink signals120, each broadcast frequency is further divided into polarizations.Each LNB 228 can only receive one polarization at time, so by aligningpolarizations between the downlink polarization and the LNB 228polarization, downlink signals 120 can be selectively filtered out fromtravelling through the system 100 to each IRD 112A-D.

IRD's 112A-D currently use a one-way communications system to controlthe multiswitch. Each IRD 112A-D has a dedicated cable 224 connecteddirectly to the multiswitch, and each IRD independently places a voltageand signal combination on the dedicated cable to program themultiswitch. For example, IRD 112A may wish to view a signal that isprovided by SatA 102. To receive that signal, IRD 112A sends avoltage/tone signal on the dedicated cable back to the multiswitch, andthe multiswitch delivers the SatA 102 signal to IRD 112A on dedicatedcable 124. IRD 112B independently controls the output port that IRD 112Bis coupled to, and thus may deliver a different voltage/tone signal tothe multiswitch. The voltage/tone signal typically comprises a 13 VoltsDC (VDC) or 18VDC signal, with or without a 22 kHz tone superimposed onthe DC signal. 13VDC without the 22 kHz tone would select one port;13VDC with the 22 kHz tone would select another port of the multiswitch,etc. There can also be a modulated tone, typically a 22 kHz tone, wherethe modulation schema can select one of any number of inputs based onthe modulation scheme.

To reduce the cost of the ODU 108, outputs of the Ka-band LNBs 128present in the ODU 108 can be combined, or “stacked,” depending on theODU 108 design. The stacking of the LNB 228 outputs occurs after the LNBhas received and downconverted the input signal. This allows formultiple polarizations, one from each satellite 102-106, to pass througheach LNB 228. So one LNB 228 can, for example, receive the Left HandCircular Polarization (LHCP) signals from SatC 102 and SatB 104, whileanother LNB receives the Right Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP) signalsfrom SatB 104, which allows for fewer wires or cables between the LNBs228 and the multiswitch.

The Ka-band of downlink signals 120 will be further divided into twobands, an upper band of frequencies called the “A” band and a lower bandof frequencies called the “B” band. Once satellites are deployed withinsystem 100 to broadcast these frequencies, each LNB 228 can deliver thesignals from the Ku-band, the A band Ka-band, and the B band Ka-bandsignals for a given polarization to the multiswitch. However, currentIRD 112 and system 100 designs cannot tune across this entire frequencyband, which limits the usefulness of this stacking feature.

By stacking the LNB 228 inputs as described above, each LNB 228typically delivers 48 transponders of information to the multiswitch,but some LNBs 228 can deliver more or less in blocks of various size.The multiswitch allows each output of the multiswitch to receive everyLNB 228 signal (which is an input to the multiswitch) without filteringor modifying that information, which allows for each IRD 112 to receivemore data. However, as mentioned above, current IRDs 112 cannot use theinformation in some of the proposed frequencies used for downlinksignals 120, thus rendering useless the information transmitted in thosedownlink signals 120.

Further, the installation described above is designed for installationin a single residence, rather than in an apartment building or otherlarge structure. Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs), e.g., an apartmentbuilding, hotel, etc., for some configurations may be able to have theirown ODU 108; however, many MDUs may not be able to have an ODU 108installed for each unit. For example, an apartment building may not beable to have an ODU 108 installed for some apartments because the ODU108 cannot be properly pointed at satellites 102-106. Hotels may alsonot be able to install ODUs 108 for every room, for pointing and/orbilling reasons.

It can be seen, then, that there is a need in the art for a satellitebroadcast system that can be expanded to include MDUs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize otherlimitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding thepresent specification, the present invention discloses systems fordelivering satellite signals to multiple dwelling units (MDUs). A systemin accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna forreceiving the satellite signals, a conversion unit, coupled to theantenna, for stacking the satellite signals onto a single cable, adistribution unit, coupled to the conversion unit, wherein thedistribution unit distributes the stacked satellite signal to aplurality of outputs, and at least one customer device, coupled to anoutput of the plurality of outputs, wherein each unit in the MDU usesthe customer device to destack the stacked satellite signals fordelivery to a receiver.

Such a system optionally also comprises the at least one customer deviceselectively delivers the destacked satellite signal to a plurality ofreceivers within the MDU, a second conversion unit, coupled to theconversion unit, and a second distribution unit, coupled to the secondconversion unit, wherein the second conversion unit stacks the satellitesignals, and the second distribution unit provide the satellite signalsstacked by the second conversion unit to a second plurality of outputs,the conversion unit further receiving additional signals, comprisingoff-air television signals and internet signals.

An alternative system in accordance with the present invention comprisesan antenna for receiving the satellite signals, a conversion unit,coupled to the antenna, for stacking the received satellite signals ontoa single cable, a distribution unit, coupled to the conversion unit,wherein the distribution unit distributes the stacked satellite signalto a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of outputs comprising asingle output cable, a plurality of customer devices, wherein thecustomer devices are coupled to the plurality of single output cables ina respective manner, wherein the customer devices destack the stackedsatellite signals, and a receiver, coupled to the customer device, fordecoding the destacked satellite signals.

Such a system optionally includes the customer device selectivelydelivering the destacked satellite signal to a plurality of receiverswithin the MDU based on commands received from the receiver, a secondconversion unit, coupled to the conversion unit, and a seconddistribution unit, coupled to the second conversion unit, the secondconversion unit stacking the satellite signals, and the seconddistribution unit provide the satellite signals stacked by the secondconversion unit to a second plurality of outputs, wherein each of thesecond plurality of outputs comprise a single output cable, theconversion unit further receiving additional signals, comprising off-airtelevision signals and internet signals, and the conversion unit anddistribution unit are mounted in a cabinet in the MDU separate from anycustomer units in the MDU.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the system and methodclaimed and disclosed or will become apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description and its accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1A illustrates a typical satellite television installation of therelated art;

FIG. 1B illustrates a multiple dwelling unit in a typical urban setting;

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical ODU of the related art;

FIG. 3 illustrates a system diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the conversion unit of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate typical distribution units in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrates typical customer unit installations inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates cascaded conversion units in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and which show, by way ofillustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Overview

Currently, there are three orbital slots, each comprising one or moresatellites, delivering direct-broadcast television programming signals.However, ground systems that currently receive these signals cannotaccommodate additional satellite signals, and cannot process theadditional signals that will be used to transmit high-definitiontelevision (HDTV) signals. The HDTV signals can be broadcast from theexisting satellite constellation, or broadcast from the additionalsatellite(s) that will be placed in geosynchronous orbit. The orbitallocations of the satellites are fixed by regulation as being separatedby nine degrees, so, for example, there is a satellite at 101 degreesWest Longitude (WL), SatA 102; another satellite at 110 degrees WL, SatC106; and another satellite at 119 degrees WL, SatB 104. Other satellitesmay be at other orbital slots, e.g., 72.5 degrees, 95, degrees, 99degrees, and 103 degrees, and other orbital slots, without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. The satellites are typicallyreferred to by their orbital location, e.g., SatA 102, the satellite at101 WL, is typically referred to as “101.” Additional orbital slots,with one or more satellites per slot, are presently contemplated.

The present invention allows currently installed systems to continuereceiving currently broadcast satellite signals, as well as allowing forexpansion of additional signal reception and usage. Further, the presentinvention allows for the use of pre-existing cabling within a given MDUsuch that the signal distribution within an MDU can be done withoutlarge new cable runs from the external antenna to individual set-topboxes.

Overview

The system of the present invention operates by band stacking signals onto a single satellite grade (e.g., RG6 type coaxial) cable, such thatall currently operational satellite broadcasts are supported. Thestacked signals reside in a frequency band that ranges from 2-3500 MHz,and these signals are transmitted from a distribution lock-box to eachapartment using a single cable.

The system of the present invention is designed to auto-compensate forsignal attenuation as a function of frequency and cable loss within thedistribution system. The system is compatible with off-air VHF and UHFfrequency bands to support NTSC and ATSC services. Additionally thissystem provides a 2-way signaling solution to enable broadband dataservices to co-exist on the common cable. As such, each user receives astandard satellite signal to each receiver. This architecture allows allsatellite receivers, past or present, to operate with this system.

System Diagram

FIG. 3 illustrates a system diagram of the present invention.

System 300 comprises ODU 108 as previously described, conversion unit302, distribution panel 304, and customer unit's 306A-E (e.g.,individual apartments in an apartment building, condominiums in acondominium community, etc.). Conversion unit 302 accepts the signalsfrom ODU 108, and processes these signals for distribution viadistribution unit 304. Each customer unit 306A-E is then coupled viacables 308A-E (collectively referred to as cables 308) to distributionunit 304. Cable 310 couples the conversion unit 302 to distributionpanel 304.

Although five customer units 306A-E are shown, any number of customerunit's 306A-E are possible with the present invention. Since eachcustomer unit 306A-E uses a single cable 308A-E to connect to thedistribution panel 304, distribution panel 304 and, if necessary,additional conversion units 302 can be installed at a single location inan MDU and connections to individual customer unit's 306A-E can bearranged. Further, the installation of cables 308A-E can be done at thetime of construction of customer units 306A-E (e.g., at the time theapartment building, condominium project, etc. is being built), such thatretrofitting of customer units 306A-E is not necessary. Specificexamples of different types of distribution panels 304 and cascadedconnections of conversion units 302 are provided herein, however, thepresent invention is not to be limited to these specific examples.

Conversion Unit (Frequency Translation Module)

FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the conversion unit of the presentinvention.

Conversion unit 302 comprises inputs 400A-400F for receiving satellitesignals from the various satellites in system 100. Input 402 is for anoff-air antenna such that terrestrial or cable signals can also bedelivered to various dwelling units 306 via the system of the presentinvention.

Combiner 404 combines signals present in inputs 400A-400F and, ifpresent, signals present on input 402. Further, any signals present oninputs 400A-400F are fed through conversion unit 302 to outputs406A-406F respectively, and each output 406A-406F has a separaterespective output 408A-408F.

Within combiner 404, Automatic Gain Control (AGC) circuitry 410A-410Gautomatically adjusts the signal levels of incoming signals on lines400A-F and 402 to provide a uniform signal strength for all of thesesignals on output 310. The output 310 is set to a level based onindicators 412A-F, which are typically Light Emitting Diodes. Indicators412A-F have three different states that indicate the signal present onthe representative input 400A-F is either too high of a signal strength,too small of a signal strength, or within predetermined limits of signalstrength. Installers of conversion unit 302 are instructed to adjustexternal amplifiers (not shown) to amplify signals present on inputs400A-F to have the indicators 412A-F read too high of a signal strength,and reduce the amplifier gain until the respective indicator 418A-Fshows that the respective signal is within the predetermined limitrange.

Further, conversion unit optionally comprises a power divider 414 and adiplexer 416, to allow for signal injection from the output of combiner404 back to input 402 via diplexer 416. This allows for data transferand data services to dwelling units 306 within the system of the presentinvention.

Outputs 406A-406F and 407 are used to cascade multiple conversion units302 in series to be able to service additional dwelling units 306 withina MDU. Further, outputs 408A-408F can be connected to a FrequencyTranslation Module (FTM) which allows for additional types of IRDs 112to be used within a dwelling unit 306. Power input 418 provides power,either in AC or DC format, to conversion unit 302. Outputs 406A-406F,when cascaded to another conversion unit 302, also allow for power to beprovided to a given conversion unit 302 when the power at input 418fails, to prevent loss of signal delivery from output 310 of theconversion unit that has lost power at input 418.

The AGC circuits 410A-G allow the output 310 to be deterministic, suchthat a large number of dwelling units 306 can be serviced by a singleconversion unit, and, if there are a larger number of dwelling units306, or longer cable runs that will be connected to output 310 thatwould be effectively a larger number of dwelling units 306, theninstallers of conversion unit 302 know to put another conversion unit302, or multiple conversion units 302, in cascade to complete a properinstallation. So, for example, and not by way of limitation, the AGCcircuits 410A-G can provide enough gain to the signals present on inputs400A-F and 402 to a given number of dwelling units 306 (which aredetermined by distribution units 304), and, once that number isexceeded, installers will install a second conversion unit 302 incascade by connecting to outputs 406A-F which, once indicators 412A-Fare properly adjusted on the first conversion unit 302 in the cascade,will deliver proper signal levels to the cascaded conversion units 302.Typically, each conversion unit 302 can service up to sixty-fourdwelling units 306, but larger or smaller numbers of dwelling units 306can be serviced depending on the design of the MDU and the design of theconversion unit 302.

Distribution Unit

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate typical distribution units in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a 10-unit configuration for system 300, whereindistribution unit 304 comprises ten outputs to ten different customerunits 306. Signal splitters 500, 502, and 504 are shown where signalsplitter 500 receives the signal from cable 310. Signal splitter 500then splits this signal and provides two outputs directly to customerunits on cables 308, and on cable 506 provides the signal to signalsplitter 502, and on cable 508 provides the signal to signal splitter504.

FIG. 5B illustrates a 16-unit configuration for system 300, whereindistribution unit 304 comprises sixteen outputs to sixteen differentcustomer units 306. Signal splitters 500, 502, 504, 510, and 512 areshown where signal splitter 500 receives the signal from cable 310.Signal splitter 500 then splits this signal and provides outputs oncable 506 to signal splitter 502, on cable 508 to signal splitter 504,on cable 514 to signal splitter 510, on cable 516 to signal splitter512. Signal splitters 502, 504, 510, and 512 then provide the outputs oncables 308 directly to customer units 306.

FIG. 5C illustrates a 64-unit configuration for system 300, whereindistribution unit 304 comprises sixty-four outputs to sixty-fourdifferent customer units 306. Signal splitters 500, 502, 504, 510, 512,518, 520, 522, and 524 are shown where signal splitter 500 receives thesignal from cable 310. Signal splitter 500 then splits this signal andprovides outputs to signal splitters 502, 504, 510, 512, 518, 520, 522,and 524 Signal splitters 502, 504, 510, 512, 518, 520, 522, and 524 thenprovide the outputs on cables 308 directly to customer units 306.

As can be seen from FIGS. 5A-C, many different configurations fordistribution unit 304 are possible within the scope of the presentinvention. Signal splitters 500, 504, 510, 512, 518, 522, and 524 can besplitters that split signal 310 into four signals, eight signals, or canfurther divide signal 310 as desired without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

Customer Unit

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrates typical customer unit installations inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates a typical customer unit 306, with cable 308 enteringcustomer unit 306. Customer device 600 accepts cable 308, which containsthe stacked signal from conversion unit 302 via distribution unit 304.The output 602, which is “destacked” to a typical 500 MHz signalrecognizable and decodable by an Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD) 112,is sent to such an IRD 112, and can be split via a splitter 603 toservice a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) if desired, while output 604 canbe delivered to a summation box 606. Summation box 606 removes any“off-air” signals and delivers them to IRD 112 via cable 608. Summationbox 606 can also deliver internet signals, or off-air televisionsignals, or, if desired, satellite television signals to modem 610,which then selectively delivers these signals to a computer 612. IRD 112selectively delivers signals to monitor 114 for viewing by a user.

FIG. 6B illustrates a customer unit 306 with a dual port customer device614. The customer device 614 can deliver two signals 602, which can bedelivered to two IRDs 112 or, as shown in FIG. 6C, a Personal VideoRecorder (PVR) 616.

FIG. 6D illustrates a four-port customer device 618. The customer device618 can deliver four signals, which can be delivered to four IRDs 112 asshown, or, if desired, two of the ports of customer unit 618 can beconnected to a PVR 616.

Cascaded Conversion Units

FIG. 7 illustrates cascaded conversion units in accordance with thepresent invention. Conversion units 302 can be connected together in acascaded fashion to service additional customer units 306. Because oflosses in signal strength along cables 308, and losses because ofsplitting the signal in distribution unit 304, each conversion unit 302has a maximum number of customer units 306 that it can serviceadequately. Line amplifiers can be added to cables 308, or inside ofdistribution unit 304, however, these lead to noise problems for thesignal on cables 308, as well as possible problems in controlling thesignal on cable 308 from the individual IRDs 112 in each customer unit306.

As such, the present invention allows for connection of additionalcustomer units 306 as shown in FIG. 7.

In system 700, ODU 108 is typically coupled to conversion unit 304 viacables 702. These cables deliver the signals from LNBs 128 to conversionunit 302. Conversion unit 302 has a “pass through” feature which splitsthese signals immediately after reception such that the signals oncables 702 can be forwarded to another conversion unit 704 (which issubstantially identical to conversion unit 304, but is given a differentreference numeral for clarity). Conversion unit 302 is connected todistribution unit 304, and conversion unit 704 is coupled to a differentdistribution unit 706. Distribution units 304 and 706 may have adifferent number of outputs 308 for delivery to customer units 306, orthe MDU 110 that system 700 is installed in may have more customer units306 than a single conversion unit 302 can adequately service. Althoughonly two conversion units 304 and 706 are shown, any number ofconversion units 304 and 706 may be cascaded together without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

Such systems 300 and 700 provide for a single installation of an ODU108, in a preferred location, such that ODU 108 can receive signals fromsatellites 102-106. The cables 702 from ODU 108 can then be installed toa centralized location, where conversion unit 302, and, if desired,additional conversion units 704 are located, along with distributionunits 304 and 706. Each customer unit 306 is then wired to thedistribution units 304, 706 with a single cable 308.

Such systems 300 and 700 make it possible to deliver satellite, cable,and off-air television signals to customer units 306 regardless ofcustomer unit 306 location, and makes installation of systems 300 and700 easier.

Conclusion

In summary, the present invention comprises systems for deliveringsatellite signals to multiple dwelling units (MDUs). A system inaccordance with the present invention comprises an antenna for receivingthe satellite signals, a conversion unit, coupled to the antenna, forstacking the satellite signals onto a single cable, a distribution unit,coupled to the conversion unit, wherein the distribution unitdistributes the stacked satellite signal to a plurality of outputs, andat least one customer device, coupled to an output of the plurality ofoutputs, wherein each unit in the MDU uses the customer device todestack the stacked satellite signals for delivery to a receiver.

Such a system optionally also comprises the at least one customer deviceselectively delivers the destacked satellite signal to a plurality ofreceivers within the MDU, a second conversion unit, coupled to theconversion unit, and a second distribution unit, coupled to the secondconversion unit, wherein the second conversion unit stacks the satellitesignals, and the second distribution unit provide the satellite signalsstacked by the second conversion unit to a second plurality of outputs,the conversion unit further receiving additional signals, comprisingoff-air television signals and internet signals.

An alternative system in accordance with the present invention comprisesan antenna for receiving the satellite signals, a conversion unit,coupled to the antenna, for stacking the received satellite signals ontoa single cable, a distribution unit, coupled to the conversion unit,wherein the distribution unit distributes the stacked satellite signalto a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of outputs comprising asingle output cable, a plurality of customer devices, wherein thecustomer devices are coupled to the plurality of single output cables ina respective manner, wherein the customer devices destack the stackedsatellite signals, and a receiver, coupled to the customer device, fordecoding the destacked satellite signals.

Such a system optionally includes the customer device selectivelydelivering the destacked satellite signal to a plurality of receiverswithin the MDU based on commands received from the receiver, a secondconversion unit, coupled to the conversion unit, and a seconddistribution unit, coupled to the second conversion unit, the secondconversion unit stacking the satellite signals, and the seconddistribution unit provide the satellite signals stacked by the secondconversion unit to a second plurality of outputs, wherein each of thesecond plurality of outputs comprise a single output cable, theconversion unit further receiving additional signals, comprising off-airtelevision signals and internet signals, and the conversion unit anddistribution unit are mounted in a cabinet in the MDU separate from anycustomer units in the MDU.

It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by thisdetailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto and theequivalents thereof. The above specification, examples and data providea complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition ofthe invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, theinvention resides in the claims hereinafter appended and the equivalentsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for delivering satellite signals tomultiple dwelling units (MDUs), comprising: a conversion unit forstacking received satellite signals onto a single cable, wherein theconversion unit includes a combiner having circuitry to separatelyadjust each of the satellite signals to a uniform signal strength asdetermined at an output of the conversion unit prior to stacking thereceived satellite signals onto the single cable; and a distributionunit, coupled to the output of the conversion unit, wherein thedistribution unit distributes the stacked satellite signal to aplurality of outputs, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs ofthe distribution unit provides the stacked signal to a customer devicefor destacking.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at leastone customer device, coupled to an output of the distribution unit, forselectively delivering the destacked satellite signal to at least onereceiver.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a secondconversion unit, series-coupled to the conversion unit to cascade theconversion unit with the second conversion unit to accept the receivedsatellite signals via the conversion unit, and a second distributionunit, coupled to the second conversion unit.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein the second conversion unit stacks the satellite signals and thesecond distribution unit provide the satellite signals stacked by thesecond conversion unit to a second plurality of outputs.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the conversion unit further receives additionalsignals.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the additional signalscomprise off-air television signals.
 7. The system of claim 6, whereinthe additional signals further comprise internet signals.
 8. A systemfor delivering satellite signals to a Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU),comprising: conversion means for stacking received satellite signalsonto a single cable, including a combiner for separately adjusting eachof the received satellite signals to a uniform signal strength asdetermined at an output of the conversion means prior to stacking thereceived satellite signals onto the single cable; distribution meanscoupled to the output of the conversion means, for distributing thestacked satellite signal to a plurality of outputs, each of theplurality of outputs comprising a single output cable; and customermeans coupled to the plurality of single output cables in a respectivemanner, for destacking the stacked satellite signals and for deliveringthe destacked satellite signals to a receiver.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the customer means selectively delivers the destacked satellitesignal to a plurality of receivers based on commands received from areceiver in the plurality of receivers.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein the conversion means further receives additional signals. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the additional signals comprise off-airtelevision signals.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the additionalsignals further comprise internet signals.
 13. The system of claim 8,wherein the conversion means and distribution means are mounted in acabinet in the MDU separate from any customer means in the MDU.
 14. Amethod of delivering satellite signals to a Multiple Dwelling Unit(MDU), comprising: in a conversion unit for stacking received satellitesignals onto a single cable, the conversion unit including a combinerhaving circuitry for separately adjusting each of the received satellitesignals: separately adjusting, via the combiner, each of a plurality ofreceived satellite signals to a uniform signal strength as determined ata single cable; stacking, via the combiner the adjusted receivedsatellite signals onto the single cable; distributing the stackedsatellite signal to a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality ofoutputs comprising a single output cable; destacking the stackedsatellite signals; and delivering the destacked satellite signals to areceiver.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein delivering the destackedsatellite signals comprises selectively delivering the destackedsatellite signal to a plurality of receivers based on commands receivedfrom a receiver in the plurality of receivers.
 16. The method of claim14, further comprising receiving additional signals and stacking theadditional signals onto the single cable.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the additional signals comprise off-air television signals. 18.The method of claim 16, wherein the additional signals further compriseinternet signals.